There is a common thread that led to success when writing a cover letter, marketing message and media pitch: know your audience! I recently interviewed Heidi Scott Giusto on the FIR on Higher Education podcast to discuss a topic that I am not an expert in: communications during the career search. It was interesting for me to hear Heidi discuss how many make the mistake of not communicating …
Think Like a Media Company in Creating Content as an Academic
It seems the best content initiatives go by the wayside. We get too busy, other priorities creep up and we lose the inspiration. Does this resonate with you? At the same, there are academics / higher education communicators who are strategically creating content on a regular basis and consequently achieving some of their personal / institutional goals. The difference between those that succeed vs. …
Podcast Episode #22: Professor Deborah Lupton on How Academics Can Leverage Social Media
How can academics overcome the barriers of social media? What is the key to getting more academics to leverage social media?Deborah Lupton, a Professor at the University of Canberra, addressed these questions and other related topics on episode 22 of FIR on Higher Education. Deborah brings a unique perspective as the author of the study Feeling Better Connected – Academics Use of Social …
Where are all the podcasting professors?
Duncan Green, a strategic advisor for Oxfam GB and author of “From Poverty to Power”, wrote an excellent post “So you’ve written the research report: what else do you need to do to ensure people actually read it?”. Duncan proposes some options and solicits readers to add to his list. This article is definitely worth a read.One area not covered in this post or the related comments are podcasts. I …
Podcast Episode 20: Professor David Burkus on the Myths of Creativity
Where do great ideas come from? Professor David Burkus of Oral Roberts University provides answers to this question on episode 20 of FIR on Higher Education.He offers insights on how communicators can creatively share thought leadership and what academics can do to innovate in the ways they research and teach. Host of an excellent podcast called Leader Lab (LDRLB), David also discusses how …
Podcast Episode #19: Dorie Clark on Developing a Content Strategy and Lessons from the “Dean Scream”
How can academics build their individual brand? What are the new realities of book publishing? How can individuals develop a content strategy? Author and executive education instructor Dorie Clark shares insights to these questions on episode 19 of FIR on Higher Education.A former presidential campaign spokeswoman, Dorie also outlines what one should do when things don't come out as intended. …
Leveraging Social Media as an Academic
Imagine writing or editing over 1,000 blog posts in a year. Or what about engaging with over 28,000 followers on Twitter. For Duke Professor Mark Anthony Neal, this is not a dream but a reality.In a previous post, Mark outlined why he considered external communications important as a professor. So if you are not sure why you should blog, revert back to that post first! In this follow-up Q and A, …
Why Professors Should Disseminate their Knowledge and Share Opinions to Public Audiences
Professors have a megaphone to the world. There are incredible opportunities for academics to communicate their knowledge with the general public through traditional and social media. While many don’t for various reasons, there are a number of professors who are doing this incredibly well. One such individual is Mark Anthony Neal, an African American studies professor at Duke University and author …
The blogging machine: #FollowFriday Professor 3, Mark Anthony Neal
#FollowFriday Professor is an editorial series focused on professors’ best practice in digital communications. Every Friday, I highlight one academic who is strategically leveraging the power of digital communications. The goal of this feature is that if you are an academic or thought leader looking to establish an online presence, you will be able to draw on this archive and use it as a source …
Using your blog to showcase press coverage: #FollowFriday Professor 2, Bill George
“#FollowFriday Professor” is an editorial series focused on professors’ best practice in digital communications. Every Friday, I highlight one academic who is strategically leveraging the power of digital communications. I do a quick analysis of what he/she is doing well and provide examples of best practice that can be gleaned from the individual highlighted. The goal of this feature is that if …
Podcast #6 – Millenials, Workforce Needs and Higher Education
How should higher education innovate to meet hiring managers' expectations of university graduates?Dan Schawbel, an expert on workplace trends and Gen Y careers, addresses these questions on episode six of For Immediate Release on Higher Education. He also delves into a recent research study he led on the future of education. According to this study, 50% of students surveyed noted that they …
The art of integrating interviews into thought leadership: #FollowFriday Professor 1, Karl Moore
Today I am launching a new editorial series focused on best practice communications from other academics. Every Friday, I will highlight one academic who is strategically leveraging the power of digital communications. I will do a quick analysis of what he/she is doing well and provide examples of best practice that can be gleaned from the individual highlighted. The goal of this feature is that …
Leveraging online communities and relationships to make big decisions
Who did you want to be when growing up? For me as an avid sports fan growing up in New Jersey, I wanted to follow in the footsteps of former New York Mets center fielder Lenny Dykstra, basketball legend Michael Jordan and renowned sportscaster Marv Albert.As a grown adult, I still ask myself that question, though with a different lens and a bit more of a pragmatic perspective, realizing that I …
Podcast # 3 – LinkedIn tips for thought leaders
Surely all of us use LinkedIn in some capacity. But how many can claim that they are fully leveraging LinkedIn to the fullest?LinkedIn offer's opportunities for thought leaders to disseminate their research and connect with other influencers in their respective fields. For public relations practitioners, LinkedIn can be a valuable tool to promote news and information, particularly with the …
2013 reflections and lessons on launching a consultancy while balancing other responsibilities
2013 will go down as one my most exhilarating and intense years of my life. Starting my own communications consulting company has been a career goal for many years, and I am delighted to be in the position to finally go for it.Getting a company off the ground, as any entrepreneur can attest to, requires an incredible amount of time and dedication. I can certainly vouch for this. …